Association of Art Museum Directors

Association of Art Museum Directors is a professional organization that promotes the interests of art museums and their directors, with members from institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, National Gallery of Art, and Art Institute of Chicago. The organization works closely with other museum associations, including the American Alliance of Museums and the International Council of Museums. Its members include directors of prominent museums like Glenn Lowry of the Museum of Modern Art and Thelma Golden of the Studio Museum in Harlem. The organization also collaborates with art organizations, such as the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

● History

The Association of Art Museum Directors was founded in 1973 by a group of museum directors, including Thomas Hoving of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and John Walker of the National Gallery of Art. The organization's early years were marked by collaborations with other museum organizations, such as the American Association of Museums and the College Art Association. The association has also worked with artists, including Chuck Close and Kerry James Marshall, to promote the interests of art museums. In recent years, the organization has addressed issues related to deaccessioning and provenance, working with institutions like the Getty Museum and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The association has also partnered with organizations like the Ford Foundation and the Kress Foundation to support museum initiatives.

● Membership

Membership in the Association of Art Museum Directors is open to directors of art museums in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, including institutions like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Members also include directors of museums like the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Guggenheim Museum. The organization has a diverse membership, with directors from a range of backgrounds, including Darren Walker of the Ford Foundation and Kaywin Feldman of the National Gallery of Art. Members of the association also participate in international museum organizations, such as the International Council of Museums and the Museum Association. The association's members have included notable directors like Philippe de Montebello of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Neil MacGregor of the British Museum.

● Governance

The Association of Art Museum Directors is governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from museums like the Art Institute of Chicago and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. The board is led by a president, who serves a term of two years, and has included leaders like Glenn Lowry of the Museum of Modern Art and Michael Govan of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The organization also has a number of committees, including a committee on diversity and inclusion and a committee on museum standards, which work with institutions like the Tate Modern and the Centre Pompidou. The association's governance structure is designed to promote collaboration and communication among its members, who also participate in organizations like the American Council on Education and the National Humanities Alliance.

● Activities

The Association of Art Museum Directors engages in a range of activities, including advocacy and professional development, working with organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The organization hosts an annual meeting, which brings together directors from museums like the National Gallery of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The association also publishes a newsletter and other resources, including a guide to best practices in museum management, which has been endorsed by institutions like the Getty Museum and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The organization's activities are designed to support the work of art museums, which include institutions like the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Guggenheim Museum, and to promote the value of art and culture, working with artists like Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald.

● Code of Ethics

The Association of Art Museum Directors has a code of ethics that guides the behavior of its members, who are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, as outlined by organizations like the American Alliance of Museums and the International Council of Museums. The code includes principles related to collections management, exhibitions, and community engagement, and has been endorsed by institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art. The association's code of ethics is designed to promote transparency and accountability in museum practice, working with organizations like the Ford Foundation and the Kress Foundation. The code is also informed by the principles of social responsibility and cultural sensitivity, as outlined by artists like Theaster Gates and Mark Bradford, and is intended to support the work of art museums in promoting the value of art and culture, in collaboration with institutions like the Tate Modern and the Centre Pompidou.